Carte blanche

ROOMS WITH HISTORY

FOR ANDRIN SCHWEIZER, ACTIVE INVOLVEMENT WITH THE ROOM AND ITS INDIVIDUAL STORY IS NOT A CHALLENGE - IT'S A NECESSITY. THIS IS HOW HE AND HIS TEAM CREATE ROOM ATMOSPHERES THAT ARE AS UNIQUE AS THEY ARE TIMELESS.

As part of its projects, the Andrin Schweizer Company develops subtle atmospheres through intensive reflection on the specific architectural features and functions of the spaces and their inhabitants. Andrin Schweizer received the invitation from Carte Blanche whilst his architectural firm was already in the process of designing a private residence in Zurich - so how is it possible to combine the diversity and serene elegance of the "Cotton&Stories" collection with Andrin Schweizer's wealth of ideas and sensitivity for an ambience that invites you to linger for a while. We spoke to him about the potential hidden in the history of a room and how this influences his creativity.

WHAT ARE THE SPECIAL FEATURES OF THE FURNISHED PROPERTY?

After receiving the invitation, we decided to use materials from Création Baumann to furnish a property that we were already in the process of converting. So the need was to select materials from the collections of Création Baumann that could best support our design concept, which was already agreed with the customer.

HOW DID YOUR PERCEPTION OF THIS PROPERTY CHANGE DURING THE DESIGN PROCESS?

The rooms in the house became more sensual and warmer. They also fit in better, again, with the spirit of the time when the house was built, whilst still exuding a significant amount of modernity and freshness.

WHAT DID YOU FIND PARTICULARLY EXCITING ABOUT THIS PROJECT?

We were perhaps a little more daring than we would normally be in the combination of different fabrics. It's not every day that you get the opportunity to freely create designs using materials with the range and quality of the "Cotton&Stories" collection. As well as looking good, these fabrics feel great to the touch.

VELOURS IS THE ABSOLUTE HIGH FLYER AT PRESENT, AND CRÉATION BAUMANN IS DOING EVERYTHING JUST RIGHT WITH VELLING

Andrin Schweizer

DORMA

XENIA

VELLING III

DO YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE FABRIC IN THE COLLECTION?

Yes! Serata Fior particularly appealed to me, due to its light daintiness. I also really liked the VELLING cotton velour, primarily because of its sensuous touch and really great colours. We used VELLING in practically every room.

WHAT STORIES DO YOU WANT TO TELL WITH YOUR DESIGNS?

In my mind's eye, I immediately see countless possibilities for how a room can be designed. Each room has great potential in its own really individual way. It always comes down to a combination of the history of the house and the stories of its inhabitants or users. Naturally, each property is always considered in the context of its closer and wider environment. My team and I do not try to force our own style onto our customers; instead, we try to develop a suitable language for each project so that the nature of the house and its inhabitants is expressed.

WHEN YOU ENTER A ROOM FOR THE FIRST TIME, TO WHAT DO YOU TURN YOUR ATTENTION?

A sense of a room develops through many little pieces of a puzzle. It is formed from the used materials, colour combinations, proportions and positioning of the furniture, the used lighting, and also the ingress of natural light. When I first walk in, I try to split the essence of the room into its individual parts, and to grasp why and how the room's sensation comes about.

HOW IMPORTANT TO YOU IS THE SWISS ORIGIN OF THE FABRICS?

I find it important and natural that as a Swiss designer I should support local Swiss companies wherever possible. Textile production has a long and rich tradition in our country, and yet this tradition is at threat of gradually being lost. Création Baumann differs from many other Swiss textile companies: Not only does it still exist, but it is still thriving!

THE STYLES THAT CAN BE FASHIONED WITH THIS COLLECTION ARE AS DIVERSE AS THE COLLECTION'S MATERIALS

Andrin Schweizer

SERATA

BAUDOLINO

VELLING III

HOW STRONGLY ARE YOU ANCHORED IN THE PRESENT? AND HOW STRONGLY IN THE FUTURE OR THE PAST?

My designs are strongly oriented towards the present, and I keenly perceive current trends. However, I always make reference to the history of a building or a room. And of course, whatever we design needs to remain relevant for the next few years! So my designs are always a combination of the past, present, and future. I love getting to grips with rooms and getting the best out of them.

WHAT ROLE DO TEXTILES PLAY IN INTERIOR DESIGN?

For me, they really do play a central role. I find living spaces without curtains, beautiful upholstery, and rugs hard to fathom. Thankfully, the times when curtains were almost frowned upon by architects are gone.

DO YOU PREFER OLD BUILDINGS OR MODERN ARCHITECTURE, AND WHY?

I love old buildings. They offer me a huge stock of inspiration. I like to immerse myself in the substance of a building and the time when it was built, and to refer to these in my designs. In my opinion, nothing we do makes sense if we're ignorant of history. This applies in interior design as well as in politics and life in general.

SO HOW DOES ANDRIN SCHWEIZER LIVE IN PRIVATE?

I live in a house that was built in the 1960s, a little outside Zurich. My partner and I bought it three years ago and have renovated it - and fitted it with curtains made by Création Baumann, by the way!

VICTOR

VELLING III

VELLING III

XENIA

VELLING III

ABOUT THE INTERIOR DESIGNER

The man who is perhaps Switzerland's best-known interior designer opened his first architecture firm immediately after finishing his studies at the ETH (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Zurich). Several successful design concepts for the former director of Expo.02, Pipilotti Rist, then gave rise to projects at home and abroad. From venerable hotels to flagship stores and private homes inside and outside Switzerland, the Andrin Schweizer Company has treated each new room as if it were their first. This ambition to find the right architectural language for each new project has resulted in an extensive and diverse portfolio. In particular following his work with various Swiss TV programs, Andrin Schweizer is also known to a broad public.

ABOUT CARTE BLANCHE

"Carte Blanche" is Création Baumann's invitation to selected interior designers to interpret a collection in a location of their choice in their own style - showcasing the range of possibilities for textile room design using fabrics from this traditional Swiss company.

BEFORE AND AFTER: DESIGN WITH A DEPTH EFFECT

A clear hand, subtle colour nuances, and strong contrasts - Andrin Schweizer's team has converted this space into an experience from a single mould. The deliberate use of light and shade creates a harmonious and comfortable atmosphere.

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Textiles

A successful indoor atmosphere has a positive effect on the well-being of the people living in those rooms. Good acoustics plays an important role here and textiles can help to give it a distinct shape.

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